Lead Perfusionist (Full-Time)

Our team members are the heart of what makes us better. At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives — and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It’s also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community. Together, we keep getting better - advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change.

About the role

The Lead Perfusionist will oversee the perfusion team, including scheduling and delegating daily assignments for Perfusionists and Perfusion technicians in the Department of Perfusion Services as directed by the Director of Perfusion Services. Under the direction of the primary surgeon, the Lead Perfusionist sets up and operates devices such as the heart-lung machine for bypass procedures, ventricular assist devices, intra-aortic balloon pumps, and the autotransfusion device.

Responsibilities

• Conduct cardiopulmonary bypass safely under the guidelines of the primary surgeon, in accordance with department policies, procedures, and standards accepted by the American Society of Extracorporeal Technology and the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion.
• Oversee Perfusion team scheduling and daily assignment activities.
• Initiate and monitor continuing educational opportunities for the Perfusion team, including new technologies and required departmental continuing education.
• Monitor and evaluate annual Perfusionist and Perfusion technician competencies.
• Manage departmental Perfusion Peoplesoft and Clairvia applications.
• Oversee Perfusion services supply and inventory management, including ordering and monitoring expiration dates of all products.
• Perform quality assurance reviews on perfusion records in collaboration with the Chief of Perfusion.
• Analyze variances, develop recommendations for quality improvement, and ensure follow-up and implementation of changes.
• Review patient medical records prior to each procedure to assess disease/illness scope and make appropriate judgments on prime selection, fluid choices, drug usage during bypass, and bypass techniques under the primary surgeon’s guidelines.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills to provide extracorporeal services to patients from adult to geriatric, adjusting equipment, supplies, and techniques to meet patient needs and policy requirements.
• Maintain readiness to initiate bypass throughout the procedure, completing and recording baseline activated clotting time, blood gases, Cerebral Oximetry data, autotransfusion checklist, and pre-bypass checklist.
• Respond appropriately to the patient’s medical status when using intra-aortic balloon pumps, autotransfusion, and ventricular assist devices, recording all responses.
• Communicate with the surgeon and anesthesiologist throughout the procedure regarding the patient’s condition, monitoring anticoagulation, acid-base balance, hemodynamics, Cerebral Oximetry, hemodilution, and homeostasis.
• Identify the needs of the patient population served and modify care delivery accordingly (e.g., age, culture, language, hearing, or visual impairments), communicating at the patient’s level.
• Perform point-of-care blood gas analysis, including patient blood gas analysis, electronic and liquid quality controls, data management, and result reporting.
• Collaborate with the Laboratory Department on point-of-care analysis and compliance for accreditation.
• Perform Hemostasis Management using the Medtronic Plus Hemostasis Management System, including patient blood samples, quality controls, data management, and result reporting.
• Complete patient records using the department’s computerized system, including perfusion records, checklists, the cardiac surgery database, and billing forms.
• Assume the responsibilities of the Director in their absence, with knowledge of all relevant policies and procedures.
• Serve as an effective Team Leader and Staff Manager as directed by the Department Director.
• Provide coverage at affiliate and partnership locations when requested.
• Adhere to the standards identified in the Medical Center’s Organizational Competencies.

Requirements

• High School diploma, general equivalency diploma (GED), or equivalent.
• Management experience in Perfusion Services.
• A minimum of a degree in perfusion technology, other related science, or equivalent.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Perfusionist License.

Qualifications

• 8 years of clinical perfusion experience (preferred).
• 4 years of clinical pediatric perfusion experience (preferred).
• Certified in Cardiovascular Perfusion (preferred).

Working Conditions

• Lifts a minimum of 70 lbs., pushes and pulls a minimum of 300 lbs., and stands a minimum of 8 hours a day.
• Regular contact with Medical Center personnel, patients, and visitors.

Pay

Minimum rate of $217,464.00 annually. The posted rate of pay is a reasonable good-faith estimate of the minimum base pay for this role at the time of posting and does not reflect the full value of our market-competitive total rewards package. The starting rate may vary based on labor market data, experience, education, certifications, skills, geographic location, internal equity, budget, and grant funding.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package for full-time and part-time (20+ hours/week) employees, including health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits.
• Eligibility for performance-based incentives, bonuses, or commissions (for certain positions).
• Shift differentials for work performed on evening, night, or weekend shifts (for eligible positions).